The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his supporters that they won Rivers State in the 2023 presidential election, saying the victory only existed in their imagination.
Speaking during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists Hangout on Monday, which was monitored in Abuja, Wike said elections are won at polling units and results are announced by INEC, not on social media or in a handful of polling units.
“They won in their imagination,” Wike said when asked if his political structure in Rivers is still strong. “I have always said it, they won in their imagination. Nobody declared them winners. I have been in this system, I understand this game. When Obi went to Timber Market or somewhere in Rivers and people were shouting ‘Obi! Obi!’, is that how you win an election?”
He argued that winning a few polling units does not translate to winning the state, which has over 7,000 polling units across 23 local government areas.
“Out of more than 7,000 polling units, until all the results are collated, even if 200 polling units show Obi or Atiku won, that does not convince me. They went to the tribunal, were they able to prove in court that they won the election? You can win on social media, but I am not interested in social media victory. I am interested in the actual results on the ground, who won and who was declared winner,” he said.
On alleged plans by political opponents in Rivers to unite against him ahead of the 2027 general elections, Wike said he remains confident and that the next election will be his easiest yet.
“I started politics in 1999 as a local government chairman. I have never had an easy election. In 2015 they said it would be tough, I won. In 2019, federal might and soldiers were against me, I still won,” he said. He disclosed that before the 2019 election, his late brother Herbert Wigwe advised him to leave town due to pressure from the federal government, but he refused and contested.
According to him, his political strength comes from his performance and relationship with the people, not from federal support or coalitions.
“Anyone telling you that people are fighting me in Rivers and it will be difficult for me, brother, I have never had an easy election, but this one will be the easiest. The factors are clear. What will you tell Rivers people now? What will you present to them that will make them believe that following you will be more beneficial than what they have today?” he added.
